Many homeowners view bird droppings as a minor annoyance and say “I’ll get to it when I have the time.” Sadly, when they have the time, there is likely damage in need of repair. This damage could surface in a variety of ways. For example, your roof may be stained, due to the high acid levels in bird droppings. In addition to appearance, your gutters could be clogged and overlooked.
This, coupled with increased amounts of standing water, could lead to foundation damage.
What Bird Droppings Actually Do To Exterior Surfaces
Guano produced by pigeons is very acidic. The uric acid found in it destroys paint, protective coatings on siding, and decomposes the surface of asphalt roof shingles. The longer the droppings stay, the more profound the effect of the chemical reaction.
The acid in pigeon guano also discolors the mortar on brick surfaces and causes pitting on the surface. For vinyl siding, stains are left behind, which become particularly difficult to clean when the sun has baked them over a summer. Wood siding soaks up the liquid in droppings, leading to rotting where it meets the structure.
These aren’t just superficial problems. The appearance of a home with stained siding or shingles that are different in color will make an immediate negative impression on anyone who pulls up – whether that’s a neighbor, a guest, or someone considering buying the house.
The Hidden Damage: Nests And Gutters
Birds naturally produce droppings, and while they’re unsightly, at least they’re an obvious sign of bird activity. Far more damage is caused by the nesting materials birds accumulate and leave behind in gutters, vents, and other entry points.
Birds will set up a nest in your home’s gutters, which are meant to help drainage and prevent water from pooling against your home’s foundation. Twigs and leaves, combined with matting feathers, create a perfect plug that will block the flow of water from your gutters. When water can’t flow, it’s going to go somewhere – and that place is often behind your property’s siding and down your foundation. Over time, the increased exposure to moisture will cause the siding to rot while creating mold and mildew problems in the home. If you live in an area that receives winter snow, the cycle of freezing and thawing water can also cause cracks in your foundation.
Downspouts are highly susceptible to damage from bird nesting materials. It’s not uncommon for birds to create a nest inside a downspout. If this happens, the water will be blocked from the top and will have nowhere to go. An overload of water will cause the downspout to sag, and the mounting pressure could cause it to pull away from the siding, creating an ideal space for carpenter bees and other burrowing insects to set up shop.
When To Bring In Professionals
If you have a beautiful yard or lawn, you may experience a feral pigeon invasion at some point, looking for food, water, and shelter. They aren’t picky eaters, and their acrobatic flight and animal cunning can make them challenging to deter. Although they are an invasive species and don’t care if they’re interfering with the neighbors, it’s a simple rule with successful pigeon control that you want to make your property the least attractive option for their lifestyle.
Before you try to get rid of pigeons, you need to make sure that these uninvited guests are pigeons. If you have a pigeon problem, you will most likely see pigeons gathering frequently in large groups, making noise, and leaving quantities of droppings behind. They can nest on low roofs, under bridges, in old farm equipment, vacant structures, or even in rain gutters. Their droppings can pose health risks and, being acidic, damage buildings and landscaping. A few birds or a couple of piles of droppings here or there might just be passersby, stopping for a rest or a meal.
Restoring What’s Already There
Before you can prevent future damage, you have to deal with what’s already on the surface. Start with nest removal – clear all nesting debris from gutters, ledges, and eaves before cleaning. Trying to wash around active nests just redistributes the problem.
For droppings on siding, a low-PSI pressure wash with the right cleaning solution handles most situations. High pressure on older paint or wood siding can strip the finish or force water behind the cladding, so if you’re not confident in your equipment settings, hire someone. On roof shingles, a soft-wash approach – low pressure, longer dwell time with a cleaning agent – removes the biological buildup without dislodging granules.
Oxidation and staining on brick or concrete may need a dedicated masonry cleaner rather than plain water. The goal is to get the exterior back to a clean baseline before installing any deterrents, because birds are drawn back to spots where they’ve roossted before – especially if there’s still scent or residue.
Preventing Birds From Coming Back
Once you have a clean surface, the main thing to keeping it that way is to take away the roosting conditions.
Bird spikes on ledges, railings, and rooflines are the most effective physical deterrent for flat or narrow areas. They cause no damage to birds; they simply make it uncomfortable for them to land. Bird netting works best for larger open areas, such as porch ceilings, covered patios, or eave gaps. When installed correctly, it creates a physical barrier that is not visually obtrusive.
Ultrasonic repellents are occasionally brought up as a possible line of defense. The performance of ultrasonics varies a lot based on the species and conditions, and the results are so hit-or-miss that most pros don’t use them as anything more than a secondary deterrent.
Aside from hardware, remove food and water sources from the immediate exterior. Bird baths, open compost, and pet food left out draw birds and provide an incentive for them to stick around.
Building A Twice-Yearly Inspection Routine
The best way to maintain your home’s outside is with the seasons. When everything is warming up, check everything before birds look for a place to build a nest. This gives you a chance to spot and seal open spaces – all the same places, plus anywhere you’ve cleared a nest before. When the world is cooling down, check everything again, remove all the mud and twigs your unwelcome vacationers left behind, and scratch test surfaces to see whether they hold new nests easily.
Two focused inspections a year catch problems when they’re still inexpensive to fix. Most of the homeowners dealing with serious staining or gutter damage didn’t ignore their home on purpose – they just didn’t have a specific reason to look until something went wrong. Build the reason in before something does.
